How US state medical boards discipline doctors
In the United States each state or territorial medical board licenses and disciplines physicians, under that state's Medical Practice Act.
- Boards act on complaints and reports from patients, other state medical boards and health professionals, among others, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).1
- A board investigates a complaint and may hold hearings before imposing discipline. Where a physician poses an immediate threat, a board can issue an emergency suspension while the investigation continues.1
- Each state's Medical Practice Act defines unprofessional conduct, and the FSMB lists examples such as alcohol and substance abuse, sexual misconduct, neglect of a patient, fraud and conviction of a felony.1
- Possible actions listed by the FSMB include fines, required continuing medical education, conditions, restriction, denial, probation, reprimand, suspension, revocation and surrender of a licence.1
- Many physicians, including some who have been disciplined, hold licences in more than one state, according to the FSMB. Different states can take different action, as in the case of Conrad Murray, whose Texas licence had been revoked while his California licence was suspended, as CNN reported in October 2013.1,2
Sources
- Federation of State Medical Boards, About physician discipline (28 October 2026)
- FOX 13 (CNN Wire), Will Conrad Murray ever treat another patient (28 October 2013)